Getting your first job after graduation from any type of school can be challenging to say the least, and it is no different after graduating from beauty school. Fortunately, cosmetology is a 30 billion dollar a year industry and shows no signs of slowing down. And there are many industry related career opportunities you may not even have considered.
Knowing yourself is key to finding your first job after graduation. If you know the direction you want your career to take, you can plan correctly. Unfortunately, to know the direction you want your career to take, you need to understand the directions it could take - in other words, you need to know your options!
Many students have a good idea of what they want to do from the day they enroll in cosmetology school, and for most, this involves working in a salon. But there are other options. If you enjoy travel and have a flair for talking to large groups of people you do not know, you could become a platform artist. Or perhaps a sales representative. Closer to home, you might want to become an instructor.
Consult with the job placement personnel at your school and do not wait until graduation to do this. They are there to help you find a job. Consult with them often during the months you are at school. Do not be concerned with bothering them. This is your future, you have a right to bother them. And if you bother them enough, they might find you a job just so you will stop bothering them! Do not forget, they have ties with the local community that you probably do not have and are not aware of. If you are applying to local salons, they are aware of your school, its faculty, and the quality of students they produce. In the same way, your school likely knows a great deal more than you about local salons - what they are looking for, the working conditions, and the experiences of other recent graduates to name but a few. And be aware of the tips your school can provide you on how to make yourself more marketable. This could involve clothes, hairstyle, make-up, personality - just about anything. You may have definite ideas about many things, but chances are the job placement people know what will get you hired and what will get you shown the door.
When looking for that first job, ask yourself these questions. Why should that owner or manager hire you? In what way/s are you better, or at least different, than all the other students who recently graduated knowing exactly the same things that you know, and all suffering from the same lack of experience that you are? Are you a better person to hire because you have taken additional and advanced training classes? If so, what are those classes, and does your potential employer knows this? Have you been an extern in a salon? Do you currently work in a salon, or have you worked in a salon before, even as a receptionist? If so, then you are at least familiar with salon culture. Have you been in an externship program while in school? You should try to set yourself apart from other job seekers by making yourself more valuable to your potential employer. This is best done by demonstrating your dedication to the field, and the examples given above are proven ways of demonstrating dedication to the industry.
Your success in finding that first job is largely the result of the research and effort you put in BEFORE you graduate.
1 - Ask yourself what type of job you want.
2 - If it is in a salon, what type of salon.
3 - Apply to salons in the area where you want to live and work.
4 - Increase your value to potential employers by going the extra mile (take an advanced class or two).
5 - Before graduation, get to know salon owners / managers in the community.
6 - If possible, try to work in a salon before graduation (as an "extern", a salaried employee, or even if you have to volunteer)!!!
The more of these things that you do, the bigger the advantage you will give yourself over others when looking for a job.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Everyone Has To Begin Somewhere
Everyone has to start somewhere, and for most licensed cosmetologists, that somewhere is beauty school. Some states have an Apprentice Program allowing you to gain licensure by working in a salon and not attending school, these programs can be excellent and will be saved as the topic for another blog entry.
Beauty schools provide a wide array of educational opportunities from which their students may choose. There is barbering, cosmetology, aesthetics, nail technician (manicurist), and make-up. Many schools will also offer advanced classes in such popular & profitable areas as color correction, hair extensions, and weaves.
Upon completion of beauty school, the next step is passing your State Board Examination. Certain to strike a note of fear in the hearts of many students, this exam is not that difficult to pass if you prepare for it correctly. Unfortunately, and despite all their hard efforts, many students do not prepare for the exam correctly and so - the failure rate nationally is about 40%. And for those mathematically challenged like me, that means out of every 10 students taking the exam, 4 will fail - or, almost half.
After passing your exam and receiving your license, the next step is finding a job. As a licensed professional you have many choices at this point, but once again, making the right choice is really important. To many people simply jump at the first position that comes along without considering if the salon is a good "fit" for them. Should it be a large salon, or a small one? Chair rental or commission? High-end, middle of the road, or budget? Will the clientele be primarily young, middle age, professional, trendy, retired, male, or female? Each has its pros and cons, and the right decision is simple: find the clientele YOU feel comfortable with, and enjoy working on. As an example, just because your best friend loves doing mens' haircuts all day long, does not mean you will. You might prefer color, or up-do's. There is no right or wrong answer here, this is not a test. The correct answer is whatever is right for you. The important thing is to choose wisely, because many a licensed professional has quit the industry after going off in the wrong direction - for them - for a few years, and then become disillusioned.
Don't allow this to happen to you.
Prepare properly for your exam so that you pass it the first time.
Think about the people you want to work with, on, and around.
Think about where you live, where you want to live, and how you feel about a commute to work.
With these things in mind, and your new license in hand, you will find the right position FOR YOU!!!
Beauty schools provide a wide array of educational opportunities from which their students may choose. There is barbering, cosmetology, aesthetics, nail technician (manicurist), and make-up. Many schools will also offer advanced classes in such popular & profitable areas as color correction, hair extensions, and weaves.
Upon completion of beauty school, the next step is passing your State Board Examination. Certain to strike a note of fear in the hearts of many students, this exam is not that difficult to pass if you prepare for it correctly. Unfortunately, and despite all their hard efforts, many students do not prepare for the exam correctly and so - the failure rate nationally is about 40%. And for those mathematically challenged like me, that means out of every 10 students taking the exam, 4 will fail - or, almost half.
After passing your exam and receiving your license, the next step is finding a job. As a licensed professional you have many choices at this point, but once again, making the right choice is really important. To many people simply jump at the first position that comes along without considering if the salon is a good "fit" for them. Should it be a large salon, or a small one? Chair rental or commission? High-end, middle of the road, or budget? Will the clientele be primarily young, middle age, professional, trendy, retired, male, or female? Each has its pros and cons, and the right decision is simple: find the clientele YOU feel comfortable with, and enjoy working on. As an example, just because your best friend loves doing mens' haircuts all day long, does not mean you will. You might prefer color, or up-do's. There is no right or wrong answer here, this is not a test. The correct answer is whatever is right for you. The important thing is to choose wisely, because many a licensed professional has quit the industry after going off in the wrong direction - for them - for a few years, and then become disillusioned.
Don't allow this to happen to you.
Prepare properly for your exam so that you pass it the first time.
Think about the people you want to work with, on, and around.
Think about where you live, where you want to live, and how you feel about a commute to work.
With these things in mind, and your new license in hand, you will find the right position FOR YOU!!!
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
What you do NOT know about your Cosmetology State Board Examination
Although every state has its own Board of Cosmetology which determines the licensing exam for that state, no state actually develops their own exam. And many states do not even Adminmister their own exam. Rather, all 50 states use the licensing exam developed by one of the following two companies.
38 states use the written test as developed by the National Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology (http://www.nictesting.org/).
12 states use the written test as developed by Experior Assessments.
The exams developed by these two companies test the same material, so that no matter where you went to school, the subjects taught in your school should be the same as those tested on yur State Board Examination.
The written Cosmetology Exam consists of 100 questions. And the topics covered are: Scientific Concepts (anatomy, biology, chemistry, electricity), Hair Care & Service, Skin Care & Service, and Nail Care & Service.
In many states, the failure rate for FIRST TIME exam takers is 40%. Yes 40%.
In states such as California, Florida, New York , and Texas, the failure rate is even higher.
A recent national statistic showed that even among individuals taking the test for the second or third time, the passing rate was not a great deal better.
Failure rates for this group were approaching 30%.
These statistics all add up to one thing:
at least 1 out of every 3 people who take the Cosmetology State Board Examination will fail it!
If you want help so that you are not that person who fails, click on:
http://www.cosmetologystateboardexam.com/
38 states use the written test as developed by the National Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology (http://www.nictesting.org/).
12 states use the written test as developed by Experior Assessments.
The exams developed by these two companies test the same material, so that no matter where you went to school, the subjects taught in your school should be the same as those tested on yur State Board Examination.
The written Cosmetology Exam consists of 100 questions. And the topics covered are: Scientific Concepts (anatomy, biology, chemistry, electricity), Hair Care & Service, Skin Care & Service, and Nail Care & Service.
In many states, the failure rate for FIRST TIME exam takers is 40%. Yes 40%.
In states such as California, Florida, New York , and Texas, the failure rate is even higher.
A recent national statistic showed that even among individuals taking the test for the second or third time, the passing rate was not a great deal better.
Failure rates for this group were approaching 30%.
These statistics all add up to one thing:
at least 1 out of every 3 people who take the Cosmetology State Board Examination will fail it!
If you want help so that you are not that person who fails, click on:
http://www.cosmetologystateboardexam.com/
Monday, November 2, 2009
Passing the Multi-State / National Cosmetology State Board Exam.
If you are taking your Cosmetology State Board Examination in any of the 38 states (along with the District of Columbia and Guam), that are currently using the the National or Multi-State Exam, you will need to pass the exam as administered by the National-Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology (NIC). Because thats a lot to say, it is usually referred to as the NIC Exam.
More information about this exam can be found at: www.nictesting.org.
The exam itself is taken, about equally, from the two main textbooks presently used in Cosmetology Schools throughout the country. Specifically, Milady and Pivot Point (Salon Fundamentals). And this information is clearly posted on the NIC website. They do this because each textbook has its own strengths and weaknesses.
Currently, it appears that most of the exam questions regarding haircutting, roller-sets, and pin-curl placement are taken from the Pivot Point text, while the majority of chemical questions (color, bleach, permanent waves, and chemical relaxers) are coming out of the Milady series. And while this is subject to change at any time, it is what they are doing now - and have been doing for several years.
At this time, there are no schools currently requiring their students to purchase, and read, both texts. Sound good? The down side is that no matter what school you attend, and no matter how hard you study - you will be unprepared to pass your exam. You simply cannot know the material if you were never taught, or, if you never had the opportunity to read it, and teach, yourself.
This is not your teachers fault. The teacher uses the book she or he was told to use by the school officials. And it isn't really the fault of the school administration. They try to keep costs down, and the price of books is expensive.
Also, they realize many students work and have a family. Therefore, it is unlikely that most students would have the time to read two large textbooks (each is over 600 pages).
So each school director is faced with a decision, which book is best for my students. And no matter what they do - it is a guessing game. And this is one of the reasons the failure rate is so high on the State Board Examination.
This situation is best remedied by purchasing, AND READING, both books, along with their companion study-guides. The text books can be ordered for about $200.00 each from: www.milady.com, or www.pivot-point.com. The study-guides retail for approximately $50.00 each, and may be ordered from the same websites.
So, if you have the time, and $500.00, it would be in your best interest to read both books.
In this way, you can completely prepare yourself to pass your State Board Exam.
However; if you lack the time, or the $500.00, your next best bet is to purchase a study guide that covers the material in both texts.
There is only one study-guide currently available that does this, and it can be ordered from: www.cosmetologystateboardexam.com
At the time of ordering, it can be obtained as an immediate ebook download for $29.95. Or in hardcopy for the same price: $29.95 (plus P&H).
It contains over 1,700 questions.
With the questions taken equally from both Milady and Pivot Point.
And it covers every area currently tested on the State Board Exam.
So, if you have the time and the money, visit the websites for Milady and Pivot Point. Order the textbooks are read them. They are both excellent books filled with extremely valuable information.
If you lack the time, the money, or both; visit www.cosmetologystateboardexam.com to order your copy of the only available study-guide covering both textbooks exactly as they appear on the NIC Cosmetology State Board Examination.
www.nictesting.org
www.milady.com
www.pivot-point.com
www.cosmetologystateboardexam.com
More information about this exam can be found at: www.nictesting.org.
The exam itself is taken, about equally, from the two main textbooks presently used in Cosmetology Schools throughout the country. Specifically, Milady and Pivot Point (Salon Fundamentals). And this information is clearly posted on the NIC website. They do this because each textbook has its own strengths and weaknesses.
Currently, it appears that most of the exam questions regarding haircutting, roller-sets, and pin-curl placement are taken from the Pivot Point text, while the majority of chemical questions (color, bleach, permanent waves, and chemical relaxers) are coming out of the Milady series. And while this is subject to change at any time, it is what they are doing now - and have been doing for several years.
At this time, there are no schools currently requiring their students to purchase, and read, both texts. Sound good? The down side is that no matter what school you attend, and no matter how hard you study - you will be unprepared to pass your exam. You simply cannot know the material if you were never taught, or, if you never had the opportunity to read it, and teach, yourself.
This is not your teachers fault. The teacher uses the book she or he was told to use by the school officials. And it isn't really the fault of the school administration. They try to keep costs down, and the price of books is expensive.
Also, they realize many students work and have a family. Therefore, it is unlikely that most students would have the time to read two large textbooks (each is over 600 pages).
So each school director is faced with a decision, which book is best for my students. And no matter what they do - it is a guessing game. And this is one of the reasons the failure rate is so high on the State Board Examination.
This situation is best remedied by purchasing, AND READING, both books, along with their companion study-guides. The text books can be ordered for about $200.00 each from: www.milady.com, or www.pivot-point.com. The study-guides retail for approximately $50.00 each, and may be ordered from the same websites.
So, if you have the time, and $500.00, it would be in your best interest to read both books.
In this way, you can completely prepare yourself to pass your State Board Exam.
However; if you lack the time, or the $500.00, your next best bet is to purchase a study guide that covers the material in both texts.
There is only one study-guide currently available that does this, and it can be ordered from: www.cosmetologystateboardexam.com
At the time of ordering, it can be obtained as an immediate ebook download for $29.95. Or in hardcopy for the same price: $29.95 (plus P&H).
It contains over 1,700 questions.
With the questions taken equally from both Milady and Pivot Point.
And it covers every area currently tested on the State Board Exam.
So, if you have the time and the money, visit the websites for Milady and Pivot Point. Order the textbooks are read them. They are both excellent books filled with extremely valuable information.
If you lack the time, the money, or both; visit www.cosmetologystateboardexam.com to order your copy of the only available study-guide covering both textbooks exactly as they appear on the NIC Cosmetology State Board Examination.
www.nictesting.org
www.milady.com
www.pivot-point.com
www.cosmetologystateboardexam.com
Thursday, October 29, 2009
10 of the Toughest Questions on the Cosmetology State Board Exam
At least 7 correct would equal a passing score:
1. This relaxer is advertised as "no-lye", recommended for "sensitive scalps", regularly sold "over the counter", and will straighten the hair completely:
a) Sodium hydroxide
b) Lithium
c) Guanidine
d) Potassium hydroxide
2. The biggest / largest / best selling hair in the world is:
a) Remy hair
b) Non-Remy hair
c) A mixture of Remy and Non-Remy
d) None of the above
3. Oxidation occurs during which of the following periods:
a) Processing
b) Oxidative
c) Neutralization
d) Reduction
4. Vellus and lanugo hair are similar in many ways, one principal difference is:
a) Lanugo hair has no pigment
b) Vellus hair has no pigment
c) Vellus hair is longer
d) Vellus hair is coarser
5. In hair cutting, the area below the crest, or parietal, is referred to as the:
a) Exterior
b) Cranium
c) Nape
d) Interior
6. Using "double-notched" shears will have which of the following effects:
a) Remove more hair than single-notched
b) Remove less hair than single-notched
c) Remove virtually no hair
d) Create a "spiked" look
7. When cutting diagonal lines, the most common cutting position is:
a) Palm Down
b) Palm Up
c) Palm-To-Palm
d) On Top Of The Fingers
8. A capless wig is:
a) Machine made
b) Composed of wefts sewn together
c) Generally less expensive than a cap wig
d) All the above
9. In the "shear over comb" technique, the angle of the comb will determine:
a) The length of the hair
b) The amount of transparency
c) The extent of scalp visibility
d) A, B, and C
10. Which governmental agency regulates cosmetics in the United States, and issues regulations concerning Predisposition Tests, Patch Tests, and P.D. Tests?
a) EPA
b) FDA
c) USP
d) OSHA
Answers:
1 (c), 2 (b), 3 (c), 4 (b), 5 (a), 6 (b), 7 (b), 8 (d), 9 (d), 10 (b)
For explanations to these questions, and textbook page numbers (Milady & Pivot Point), email us at: info@cosmetologystateboardexam.com
To order your complete set of 1,700 questions (covering all tested areas in each of the 50 states and the National or Multi-State Exam), visit us online at: www.cosmetologystateboardexam.com
A Few Really Bad Decisions Made By The Cosmetology Industry #2
This is a continuation of a prior blog. To read the previous blog, scroll down to the following article.
At the end of the previous blog, I said that I would next discuss one of the mistakes salon owner's have made in attempting to increase the salons income when faced with fewer clients.
The typical owner's response has been "Chair Rental". A disastrous decision which has removed them from being hair-stylists and business owners, and turned them into landlords.
They sacrifice all control over the business in exchange for a weekly, or bi-weekly, rent check. Once again, because I have spent my life in this industry, I have observed the ways in which salon life has changed as chair rental has become increasingly the industry norm.
From the owner's perspective, they have no employees. They have tenants. And because they have no employees, most owners feel no need to create a warm / friendly / family like environment. And so, the salon takes on a very chilly, business like, ambience. Not the type of thing that attracts most artistic people to begin with. These owners tend to provide little, if any, ongoing education. Likewise, they usually do not feel the need to provide advertising or marketing for the salon. Once again, they do not have emloyees, they have tenants. And most landlords in a shopping center do not provide advertising for their tenants.
From a renters perspective; it is a very isolating experience. Most of your co-renters will come in, do their clients, and leave. Since you really do not "work" together, you do not have co-workers in the more traditional sense. And there is a kind of coldness that was not present just a few years ago. As mentioned previously, the warm / friendly / family environment that was so common in salons some years back, seems replaced by a cold / business like atmosphere. The clients do not necessarily see or feel this, but you certainly will. The irony is that most young people who are attracted to the industry are attracted because they dislike the cold business nature of corporate America. And yet, that is exactly what the modern renters salon is becoming.
I use the term co-renters, because that is what they are. They are not your co-workers, and they are not your colleagues. They are your direct competition. It is as though one of you is McDonalds while the other is Burger King. And your buildings have been set up right next to each other on the street.
It is unlikely that your co-renters will offer much in the way of backroom assistance or guidance either. They are there to do their clients and leave. If you are unsure what to do, or run out of product, this is not their problem.
Which brings up costs. You will be supplying all your own products. The salon doesn't supply you with haircolor, perms, etc. You don't work for the salon. And while $5 or $6 dollars for a tube of haircolor may not seem like a lot, try buying 50 or 100 tubes of haircolor, plus the peroxide, and the brushes and the ..... You get the point. It is expensive, and all the responsibility is on you.
There is very little of what you might call "salon life", no education, and no support.
It is probably the perfect enviroment if you are a loner by nature, not very friendly, have no desire to interact with anyone else, and have plenty of money to set yourself up. Otherwise, you might want to consider other options.
Finally, we come to the subject of money. As I said at the outset, I believe the rental salon evolved out of the salon owner's need to increase their monthly income after the once-a-week ladies were chased out of the salon. But in most instances, it has worked out just the opposite. And nobody is making any money, except perhaps the building owner and that is usually not the salon owner. It seems more and more that everyone is just working for the rent.
As a closing thought, I have noticed a new trend. It is not very wide spread as of yet, but it is growing. And that is the rise of such salons as Aveda and Paul Mitchell. Some big industry names are getting into an aspect of the industry where they previously had no presence. That of salon ownership. And in these salons, they have only employees, no renters.
When big names such as Aveda and Paul Mitchell (to name a few), are moving the industry away from chair rental; and when they are having no difficulty in recruiting top stylists to go with them - it tells you something about the the benefits of being an employee as opposed to renting a chair.
Again, you may not agree with all, or anything, I have said. It is only my opinion. But it is an opinion formed over many years experience with the industry. So if you are new to the industry and seeking a position, consider all the avenues before you jump at renting a chair.
It is often said that if something sounds to good to be true, it probably is. And remember, sometimes what looks like gold, upon closer inspection, turns out to be pyrite.
At the end of the previous blog, I said that I would next discuss one of the mistakes salon owner's have made in attempting to increase the salons income when faced with fewer clients.
The typical owner's response has been "Chair Rental". A disastrous decision which has removed them from being hair-stylists and business owners, and turned them into landlords.
They sacrifice all control over the business in exchange for a weekly, or bi-weekly, rent check. Once again, because I have spent my life in this industry, I have observed the ways in which salon life has changed as chair rental has become increasingly the industry norm.
From the owner's perspective, they have no employees. They have tenants. And because they have no employees, most owners feel no need to create a warm / friendly / family like environment. And so, the salon takes on a very chilly, business like, ambience. Not the type of thing that attracts most artistic people to begin with. These owners tend to provide little, if any, ongoing education. Likewise, they usually do not feel the need to provide advertising or marketing for the salon. Once again, they do not have emloyees, they have tenants. And most landlords in a shopping center do not provide advertising for their tenants.
From a renters perspective; it is a very isolating experience. Most of your co-renters will come in, do their clients, and leave. Since you really do not "work" together, you do not have co-workers in the more traditional sense. And there is a kind of coldness that was not present just a few years ago. As mentioned previously, the warm / friendly / family environment that was so common in salons some years back, seems replaced by a cold / business like atmosphere. The clients do not necessarily see or feel this, but you certainly will. The irony is that most young people who are attracted to the industry are attracted because they dislike the cold business nature of corporate America. And yet, that is exactly what the modern renters salon is becoming.
I use the term co-renters, because that is what they are. They are not your co-workers, and they are not your colleagues. They are your direct competition. It is as though one of you is McDonalds while the other is Burger King. And your buildings have been set up right next to each other on the street.
It is unlikely that your co-renters will offer much in the way of backroom assistance or guidance either. They are there to do their clients and leave. If you are unsure what to do, or run out of product, this is not their problem.
Which brings up costs. You will be supplying all your own products. The salon doesn't supply you with haircolor, perms, etc. You don't work for the salon. And while $5 or $6 dollars for a tube of haircolor may not seem like a lot, try buying 50 or 100 tubes of haircolor, plus the peroxide, and the brushes and the ..... You get the point. It is expensive, and all the responsibility is on you.
There is very little of what you might call "salon life", no education, and no support.
It is probably the perfect enviroment if you are a loner by nature, not very friendly, have no desire to interact with anyone else, and have plenty of money to set yourself up. Otherwise, you might want to consider other options.
Finally, we come to the subject of money. As I said at the outset, I believe the rental salon evolved out of the salon owner's need to increase their monthly income after the once-a-week ladies were chased out of the salon. But in most instances, it has worked out just the opposite. And nobody is making any money, except perhaps the building owner and that is usually not the salon owner. It seems more and more that everyone is just working for the rent.
As a closing thought, I have noticed a new trend. It is not very wide spread as of yet, but it is growing. And that is the rise of such salons as Aveda and Paul Mitchell. Some big industry names are getting into an aspect of the industry where they previously had no presence. That of salon ownership. And in these salons, they have only employees, no renters.
When big names such as Aveda and Paul Mitchell (to name a few), are moving the industry away from chair rental; and when they are having no difficulty in recruiting top stylists to go with them - it tells you something about the the benefits of being an employee as opposed to renting a chair.
Again, you may not agree with all, or anything, I have said. It is only my opinion. But it is an opinion formed over many years experience with the industry. So if you are new to the industry and seeking a position, consider all the avenues before you jump at renting a chair.
It is often said that if something sounds to good to be true, it probably is. And remember, sometimes what looks like gold, upon closer inspection, turns out to be pyrite.
A Few Really Bad Decisions Made By The Cosmetology Industry
I think that of all the bad decisions made consciously, or unconsciously, by the cosmetology industry - Vidal Sassoon convincing women to stop setting their hair on a weekly basis at the salon has to rank among the worst. And I say this, not because I am in love with rollers, but because I believe this trend (among others), has cost both the salon owner, and the individual stylist, a tremendous amount of money over the years - and continues to do so on a daily basis.
You may not agree with my ideas on this, but read on and I am certain you will find yourself in agreement with several points.
I was raised in this industry. And during the 1960's my parents owned a salon. They only had to fill the books of their salon for one week. Thereafter, the weeks just repeated themselves. Its Tuesday at 11 am, it must be Mrs. Johnson. Women came in every week and they rebooked the following weeks appointment before they left. They fought over appointment slots as though they were gold. Today, we are trying to "convince" them to prebook. One week it was a shampoo & set. The next week it was a color & set. Then, the following week, a haircut & set. Once every three months, it was a permanent wave & set. And during all of this, there were usually weekly manicures along with the occasional pedicure. Our family lived very well as the result of my parents efforts. And over the years, I knew numerous salon owners - all of whom I could say - lived very well.
Now that we have pooh poohed the weekly roller set and talked our clients out of permanents, we have to rely on monthly haircuts, and perhaps colors. Or maybe even, every six week haircuts. This means you have to fill your appointment book for an average of five weeks before it starts to repeat.
Obviously, this means you need five times as many clients as before. And a simple look at the U.S. population census will show you that there are NOT five times as many people living in the country today as there were in the 1960's. In short, stylists have fewer clients today than they did in the 1960's, and this translates to: stylists make less money today than they did during the 1960's or 1970's. And of course, this leaves out the manicurists who largely rely on your clients to become their clients. Generally, clients decide to get their nails done while getting their hair done, and not the other way around. So, if your clients are not in the salon anymore, neither are the manicurist's clients. Soon thereafter, the manicurist is no longer working in the salon. And the next thing you know; clients don't want to come there because they are looking for a full-service salon. It is a snow ball effect, where the problem just continues to get bigger.
This situation is bad for the stylist and bad for the manicurist, but it is really bad for the owner. As an owner, you have fixed expenses such as: rent, electricity, phones, advertising, insurance, supplies, maintenance, etc. And because these bills do not go down, or away, you are left with less and less money at the end of the month.
It seems there are three salons at every intersection, and the only ones making money are the landlords.
There, I have said it. You may not agree with the appraisal, but I was there then and I am here now. And take it from me, there was more money "Then".
In my next blog I will discuss the mistake I believe salon owners have made in attempting to make up the lost revenue, cover their bills, and make a profit.
Because lets face it, while we love the industry - a paycheck is always nice.
You may not agree with my ideas on this, but read on and I am certain you will find yourself in agreement with several points.
I was raised in this industry. And during the 1960's my parents owned a salon. They only had to fill the books of their salon for one week. Thereafter, the weeks just repeated themselves. Its Tuesday at 11 am, it must be Mrs. Johnson. Women came in every week and they rebooked the following weeks appointment before they left. They fought over appointment slots as though they were gold. Today, we are trying to "convince" them to prebook. One week it was a shampoo & set. The next week it was a color & set. Then, the following week, a haircut & set. Once every three months, it was a permanent wave & set. And during all of this, there were usually weekly manicures along with the occasional pedicure. Our family lived very well as the result of my parents efforts. And over the years, I knew numerous salon owners - all of whom I could say - lived very well.
Now that we have pooh poohed the weekly roller set and talked our clients out of permanents, we have to rely on monthly haircuts, and perhaps colors. Or maybe even, every six week haircuts. This means you have to fill your appointment book for an average of five weeks before it starts to repeat.
Obviously, this means you need five times as many clients as before. And a simple look at the U.S. population census will show you that there are NOT five times as many people living in the country today as there were in the 1960's. In short, stylists have fewer clients today than they did in the 1960's, and this translates to: stylists make less money today than they did during the 1960's or 1970's. And of course, this leaves out the manicurists who largely rely on your clients to become their clients. Generally, clients decide to get their nails done while getting their hair done, and not the other way around. So, if your clients are not in the salon anymore, neither are the manicurist's clients. Soon thereafter, the manicurist is no longer working in the salon. And the next thing you know; clients don't want to come there because they are looking for a full-service salon. It is a snow ball effect, where the problem just continues to get bigger.
This situation is bad for the stylist and bad for the manicurist, but it is really bad for the owner. As an owner, you have fixed expenses such as: rent, electricity, phones, advertising, insurance, supplies, maintenance, etc. And because these bills do not go down, or away, you are left with less and less money at the end of the month.
It seems there are three salons at every intersection, and the only ones making money are the landlords.
There, I have said it. You may not agree with the appraisal, but I was there then and I am here now. And take it from me, there was more money "Then".
In my next blog I will discuss the mistake I believe salon owners have made in attempting to make up the lost revenue, cover their bills, and make a profit.
Because lets face it, while we love the industry - a paycheck is always nice.
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